How 16 Former Republican Presidential Candidates Feel About Donald Trump & Whether Or Not They'll Endorse Him

Although he once called Donald Trump a "con man," former Republican wonder boy Marco Rubio acknowledged on May 26 that he'll support the presumptive Republican nominee nonetheless. That's how strong party loyalty can be: Conservatives may find Trump narcissistic, irresponsible, offensive and not even that conservative, but anything, anything is better than someone with a "D" next to their name. Given that Trump has had the nomination locked up for almost a month now, it's as good a time as any to take a look at which of Trump's former Republican rivals have endorsed him.

In many cases, the answer is clear cut: Some former 2016 candidates have full-heartedly embraced Trump, and some have made it clear that they never will. A couple of Trump's former rivals, however, have refused to commit either way. Republicans who oppose both Trump and Hillary Clinton are in a difficult position, and many of them have attempted to walk a thin line by giving vague, non-specific answers when asked if they'll formally endorse Trump.

At the first GOP debate, every Republican candidate pledged to support the eventual nominee. That, however, was before anyone thought Trump had a realistic chance of becoming the nominee. Let's see where these former Republican presidential candidates stand on endorsing The Donald.

Ben Carson

Carly Fiorina

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Fiorina, who was Ted Cruz's running mate for about ten seconds in May, has since said that she'll do everything "to make sure that Hillary Clinton is not our next president" — but she refuses to speak Trump's name and has not officially endorsed him.